Following our taxi tour of West Belfast (the center of The Troubles) and our panel discussion with the three men from opposing sides who were in the thick of it, Bruce and I needed to emotionally unwind. While others went to the Titanic Museum, we opted to take advantage of the gorgeous day and visit the botanic gardens at Queen’s University Belfast. We felt so fortunate to be able to enjoy the sunshine and temperatures in the high 60’s and low 70’s, because it was 40 degrees in Belfast the previous week.
Since my last post was an emotional one to write and a long one to read, I am going to take a break and leave you today with scenes of beautiful Belfast.
(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)
We hopped on the bus back to the city center, and we both giggled when we noticed the next stop was a street with the same name as Bruce!Belfast City Hall: We took a self-guided tour of this gorgeous building that was completed in 1906. It would cost 120 BILLION dollars if built today!Domed ceiling of City Hall
A series of stained glass windows in a hallway were lit up beautifully by the sunlight shining through. All of the windows depicted historically significant events in Belfast’s history.
This window commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Docker’s Strike of 1907. All sides of the working class community, including dockers, carters, coal heavers, boilermakers, and tobacco workers, united in support and came out on strike.
The stained glass windows projected its colors and shadows on the opposite wall of the hallway. I captured Bruce’s shadow here and mine below.
This pewter chess set on exhibit in City Hall, in a room dedicated to the Titanic, depicts passengers who were on the ship. It was created by Anto Brennan.
A few more scenes around town before returning to photograph City Hall at dusk:
To cap off a beautiful day in Belfast, we enjoyed the full moon rising from our hotel window.
Next up: IRISH ADVENTURE #8: EXPLORING THE ATTRACTIVE ARDS PENINSULA
Elaine-iaK's Travels: A Traveler's Tales of People, Places, Photos, Pools... and CHOCOLATE! 